Sterilization

The recent reports of deficient sterilization procedures at VA hospitals makes me wonder how closely local hospitals and outpatient centers observe proper sterilization procedures. I think that local institutions should be asked to inspect and certify that they are adhering to proper procedures, and subjected to unannounced spot-check inspections. Stephen Seldin, Boynton Beach

Every week, airplanes drop more than 47 million lusty male Mediterranean fruit flies over South Florida. However, the randy little critters are sterile so any romantic interlude effectively renders the female barren, and the Medfly population dwindles. This is how the U.S. Department of Agriculture has controlled Medflies, one of nature's most destructive pests, for the past 10 years. "We're constantly restocking the area with sterile male medflies, as that interrupts the reproductive cycle," said USDA spokesman Greg Rosenthal.

The mother of a severely mentally impaired woman is planning to have her sterilized after a Supreme Court justice refused to block the operation. But the legal guardian for Cindy Wasiek, a 26-year-old with the mental capacity of a 5-year-old, said she would appeal the case to the full Supreme Court - even if it is too late to stop the sterilization. Justice David Souter denied without comment on Friday an emergency request from McKinley to bar the operation. Delores Wasiek, who fears her daughter could become pregnant, said she was going ahead with the surgery.

Residents who trap feral cats in Hollywood can have them sterilized and vaccinated against rabies through a free Broward County program. Broward County 's Animal Care and Adoption Division is conducting a trap, neuter and return pilot project in the 33019 and 33020 zip codes in Hollywood. Two clinics are providing the no-cost spaying, neutering and rabies vaccinations. No appointment is necessary. Feral cats confined in carriers may be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday between 8 and 8:30 a.m. at the Humane Society of Broward County , 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale.

Q. I recently went to my dentist`s office and I was informed that he takes all precautions in the sterilization of his equipment. Is there a standard procedure for how a dentist is to sterilize his equipment and what agency monitors compliance? A. Generally, before each patient is treated by a dentist, the room should be properly disinfected. From the chair in which you sit to the countertops in the room, all areas should be thoroughly disinfected before you are treated. The personnel who treat you should wear gloves, masks and eye-protection coverings.

For Magna Morales and Bernadina Alva, peasant Andean women who could barely afford to feed their families, it was a troubling offer but one they found hard to refuse. Shortly before Christmas, government health workers promised gifts of food and clothing if they underwent a sterilization procedure called tubal ligation. The operation went well for Alva, 26, who received two dresses for her daughter and a T-shirt for her son. But Morales, 34, died of complications 10 days after the surgery, leaving three children and a husband behind.

A mentally retarded teen-ager from Boynton Beach should not be involuntarily sterilized, a Palm Beach County circuit judge ruled on Friday. It was the first decision of its kind in Florida. Identified only as Jane Doe in court records, the 15-year-old girl is approaching adulthood with the mind of a 5-year-old. Even though she suffers from seizures induced by cerebral palsy, the girl still should not be sterilized without her consent, the judge said. The decision hit hard for the girl`s mother, who has not decided whether she will appeal.

For the five minutes or so it takes to read this story, more than 250 kittens and puppies will be born in the United States. They join the estimated 100 million dogs and cats already alive. "One in 10 animals born today will not find a home," said Ronald Lefebvre of Davie, administrator at the Broward County Humane Society in Fort Lauderdale. "Yet there are still a lot of people who don`t believe in spaying and neutering. They are under the misconception that they can find homes for all their animals."

Every time 24-year-old Jatia McCrone looks at her baby daughter taking her small steps around their Sunrise home, she knows fate meant her to have a second child. Jayla, now a chubby and restless 1-year-old, was not a planned child. And not willing to tempt fate again, McCrone underwent sterilization surgery last month. Despite all the medical progress with the birth-control pill and other prophylactic devices, McCrone, like thousands of others, decided on an option that is now the most popular form of contraception among married couples in America, according to a review of health care statistics funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD)

Jane Doe is 15, has the mind of a 5-year-old and no concept of the legal firestorm that soon will engulf her. The mother of Jane Doe -- not her real name -- wants to have her sterilized. The Boynton Beach woman, who uses the pseudonym Mother Doe in court papers, is asking a judge to affirm her decision. It is the first case of its kind in Florida, but one of an increasing number across the country involving reproductive rights, lawyers and scholars say. There are so many cases that the Association for Retarded Citizens of the U.S., in its annual meeting this week in Tampa, will consider a proposed position statement that, "mental retardation, regardless of the severity, must not in itself justify either involuntary sterilization or denial of sterilization to those who choose it for themselves," said Paul Marchand, the organization`s director of governmental affairs.

The Mediterranean fruit fly infestation here is being fought on foot, by truck and in the air. Authorities Tuesday mounted a head-on assault against the invasive species, which can destroy local agriculture and has not been sighted in Florida in these quantities in more than a decade. Their strategy is simple: inundate the affected area with millions of sterile medflies. Officials hope to induce female medflies to mate with these sterile males, producing unfertilized eggs.

The recent reports of deficient sterilization procedures at VA hospitals makes me wonder how closely local hospitals and outpatient centers observe proper sterilization procedures. I think that local institutions should be asked to inspect and certify that they are adhering to proper procedures, and subjected to unannounced spot-check inspections. Stephen Seldin, Boynton Beach

Martin, a gray-and-white Shih Tzu, is so cute and perky he looks typecast for a Disney movie. Instead, Martin bounces around his toy-filled cage at the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, waiting for a family to adopt him. Behind each furry face at the shelter, there is a story. Martin's story, complete with grim "before" pictures, is about abuse and redemption. Saturday, Martin will join hundreds of dogs - with and without owners - for the league's seventh annual Barry Crown Walk for the Animals event at Okeeheelee Park.

Normally, getting a pet sterilized can cost more than $100, and may exceed $300 for a dog spayed at a private clinic. Several South Florida animal shelters offer promotions slashing that fee - to zero, in some cases. They hope to sterilize 500 pets the first week of April. A couple of cat deals offered that week: Male felines can be sterilized for $15, females for $25 from April 1-4 at the Humane Society of Broward County, 2070 Griffin Road (just west of I-95), Fort Lauderdale. It's limited to the first 80 appointments; call 954-266-6863.

Dozens of dog breeders, cat lovers and veterinarians are expected to stand before Palm Beach County commissioners today for a hearing and likely final vote on a controversial plan to reduce the number of unwanted animals killed at the county's animal shelter. The measure places a new ultimatum upon pet owners: Either agree not to breed animals or pay a fee. The ordinance would require all pet owners to sterilize their animals unless they sign an affidavit agreeing not to breed them. They would be required to buy a $75 "unaltered" tag, and the permits must be renewed each year.

I just read your Tuesday editorial, "Animal Welfare." I also read the previous story you published on this subject. Your Bottom Line: Hiring an independent consulting agency is a good idea. My Bottom Line: County commissioners, it's time to pass a law requiring spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. This neglect, abuse and other horrors, not to mention so many dollars spent, could end if only our elected officials had the courage to do the right thing in defense of these beautiful creatures.

With patients and government regulators worried about possible transmission of the AIDS virus, today`s dental office is hyper-clean, high-tech -- and high-cost. Dentists have been forced to take broad new steps to quiet the public`s fear of contracting the disease and to meet sweeping new federal standards. Dr. Bradley Lauer of Lauderhill is one example of a South Florida dentist dealing with changing -- and expensive -- times. Lauer said he had to hire an extra dental assistant at $15,000 a year primarily to sterilize equipment and disinfect treatment rooms between patients.

Palm Beach County commissioners on Tuesday tentatively approved a controversial ordinance to encourage more dogs and cats to be sterilized. The decision was made over protests from dog breeders and veterinarians who said the measure won't reduce the number of pets destroyed at the county's animal shelter. Commissioner Bob Kanjian was the lone dissenter in a 6-1 vote, arguing that the measure is unconstitutional. Before the measure can take effect, it must be voted on again by commissioners at a final public hearing, set for 2:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Under the ordinance, breeders would have to obtain a permit, which some could receive for free.